Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III is under public scrutiny following reports that he left the country ahead of Super Typhoon Uwan’s landfall.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified in an interview with ANC on Monday, November 10, that Albano was scheduled to attend an agricultural fair in Germany.
“I don’t have the record for sure but noong nakausap ko siya, he was attending an Agri fair in Germany and he applied for a travel leave a month ago pa,” said Remulla.
Remulla said he advised Albano to return home immediately, and the governor reportedly promised to do so.
Despite the controversy, Remulla commended Isabela’s disaster preparedness under Vice Governor Kiko Dy’s leadership.
“Credit naman to the Isabela officials, we were in contact with during the OCD meetings, handang handa naman ‘yang vice governor niya,” he added.
Remulla confirmed that Albano’s travel was a yearly engagement tied to Isabela’s agricultural initiatives.
“I remember signing his travel leave a month ago kasi may malaking Agri fair sa Germany and yearly pinupuntahan niya talaga ‘yon[…]” he said.
However, the DILG chief said he would verify whether Albano actually left the country on November 7.
“We will find out kung umalis talaga siya on the seventh (of November)… I would check the BIB [Bureau of Immigration Border Stamps] ‘yong record nila and then we will deal with it,” Remulla explained.
He added that while he can show Albano’s approved leave, only the Bureau of Immigration can confirm his travel record.
Earlier, Albano drew criticism for telling residents to remain “chill” as the super typhoon approached.
“Sa akin, cool lang. Kumbaga chill… Wala namang makakahinto niyan kung hindi Diyos lang[…] at ipinagdarasal lang namin, sana nasa taas ‘yong hangin at ‘wag sanang magdulot ng maraming pinsala,” he said in a television interview on November 7.
As of writing, Albano has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.